An article for allowing a person to exercise the oblique abdominal muscles comprises a rigid member, in accordance with a preferred method of use, is grasped in the hands and held behind the neck. At either end of the rod, an elastic member extends downward with the distal end of each elastic member being held against the floor by the person's foot. As the user swivels the upper body, the elastic members are placed in tension and provide resistance for exercising the oblique abdominal muscles.